Press Kit: Carolina Day

 

A Revolutionary war cannon stands in front of a palmetto tree and a white tent with a blue sky in the background.

NPS/B.Marcum

"[Be] Cool and Do Mischief."

-John Rutledge in a letter to Colonel William Moultrie, June 28, 1776

What is Carolina Day?

Carolina Day is the annual commemoration of the Battle of Sullivan's Island that occurred on June 28, 1776. This battle occurred when British forces attempted to seize the strategic fort on Sullivan’s Island. Patriot defenders successfully repelled the attack despite being outnumbered and under heavy fire. The battle marked the first major victory over the Royal Navy for patriot forces, boosting moral and demonstrating the ability to repel British attacks early in the Revolutionary War.

Fort Moultrie is offering a full schedule of special events on both June 27 and June 28 including artillery and musket firing demonstrations, interactive activities for all ages on History Row, history programs with park rangers, living history demonstrations, an official Commemoration Ceremony, military flyover and music from the Fife and Drum of Yorktown and the Parris Island Marine Band. 

A full schedule of events can be found here.

Trip Planning

• Event parking on Sullivan's Island is extremely limited. Visitors are encouraged to seek alternative transportation options. The park will provide two shuttle services from Mt Pleasant to the event: the red line will depart from Lucy Beckham High School (1560 Mathis Ferry Rd) and the blue line will depart from Mount Pleasant Town Hall (100 Ann Edwards Ln). These shuttles are free and offer a reliable way to access Sullivan's Island and the event without worrying about parking availability. A shuttle map and an event map can be found here.

Safety Messaging

Key messages for a safe and memorable event include:

• Heat Safety: June in South Carolina is hot and humid. Please remember to drink water, find areas to cool off and be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Make sure to wear and re-apply sunscreen.
• Water availability: It is recommended to bring a refillable water bottle to the event. There will be water refilling stations available for use.

• Weather: The weather in South Carolina during the summer can be unpredictable. Summer thunderstorms can pop up without warning. Make sure to check the forecast before arriving at the event. Current conditions for Charleston can be found here.

Park Partners

This event wouldn't be possible without help from our partners! To learn more about each of these organizations, please follow the below links:

• Friends of Charleston National Parks
• SC250 Anniversary American Revolution
• SC250 Charleston

Battle of Sullivan's Island and Carolina Day

• The Battle of Sullivan’s Island took place on June 28, 1776, when British forces attempted to seize the strategic palmetto log and sand fort on Sullivan’s Island. Patriot defenders successfully repelled the attack despite being outnumbered and under heavy fire. The battle marked the first major victory for patriot forces, boosting moral and demonstrating their ability to repel British attacks early in the war.

• Carolina Day commemorates the anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, which was first celebrated the following year in 1777 on June 28. The day was named in honor of the victory because the triumph was a pivotal moment for South Carolina and its patriots during the American Revolution.  

 

Images

 

 

News Release and Related Pages

• News Releases
• Freedom 250 at Fort Moultrie
• Carolina Day 2026 Event Page

Social Media

Share your photos and videos of the event using #CarolinaDay2026 or #CoolandDoMischief

• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube

Media Contact

For media inquiries or questions about this year’s event, please email us.

About Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

Fort Moultrie protects the landscapes and resources associated with the pivotal Battle of Sullivan’s Island which occurred on June 28, 1776. This landscape stands as a witness to the events that took place on Sullivan’s Island and in Charleston Harbor.

About America at 250

The National Park Service joins the nation in commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. Throughout the commemoration, the National Park Service will serve the American people by embracing its mission to provide opportunities for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.